GPON OLT - Exploring syroteh 8 port OLT performance capabilities

Syroteh 8 Port GPON OLT is a fiber optic access network that delivers high-speed data, voice, and video services. Fiber optic networks are popular for their scalability and ability to support many services. In a GPON network, Optical Line Terminal provides the central connection point between the service provider's network and the subscriber's premises. OLT manages and controls the transmission of data between the service provider's core network and the customer premises equipment (CPE), which includes ONTs (Optical Network Terminals) or ONUs (Optical Network Units). GPON architecture utilizes passive optical splitters to distribute signals from the OLT to many ONTs/ONUs. The 8 Port GPON OLT connects to many subscribers, allowing for efficient sharing of the available bandwidth.

The key components of an 8 Port GPON OLT include:

1. Control Unit- Manages the operation and configuration of the OLT.
2. GPON Interface Cards- Enable the transmission and reception of data signals over the GPON network.
3. Switching Fabric- Handles the switching and routing of data packets within the OLT.
4. Power Supply Modules- Provide enough power to operate the OLT and support the connected subscribers.
5. Management Interfaces- Allow network administrators to configure and check the OLT's performance and settings.

Load testing

Load testing evaluates a device or system's performance under anticipated peak loads and average load conditions. A real-world traffic and usage scenario measures a system's performance, stability, and other critical features. For network infrastructure, such as the Syrotech 8 Port GPON OLT, load testing is essential to ensure high performance and identify weaknesses.

It involves assessing the speed of the OLT. The most speed is the bandwidth of the single connection between the OLT and the ONTs. The downstream capability stands at 2.5Gbps, while the upstream capacity 1.25Gbps. According to the standard, the capacities among up to 128 ONTs using time-division multiple access (TDMA). Furthermore, the speed of the OLT is due to its shared capacity with the connected ONTs.

Network performance

Load testing enables assessing the performance of different network protocols supported by the Syrotech 8 Port GPON OLT. By generating traffic with various protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, or MPLS, the OLT's ability to handle different protocols and maintain optimal performance. It determines the OLT's compatibility and efficiency with different network configurations. Analyze the impact of concurrent upstream and downstream traffic on the Syrotech 8 Port GPON OLT performance. OLT's ability to manage bidirectional traffic and maintain balanced performance is examining upstream and downstream traffic. OLT handles real-world network usage demands.

Check the user experience for various tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, and file downloading on the 8 Port GPON OLT. By generating traffic that simulates these activities and measuring metrics like page load times, video buffering, and file transfer speeds, the OLT's performance in delivering a smooth and satisfactory user experience. They incorporate real workload scenarios, such as emulating the network usage patterns of a specific user base or service area, to assess the performance capabilities of the Syrotech 8 Port GPON OLT under realistic conditions.

Temperature for load testing

When planning for load testing, one must consider the operating and storage conditions of the 8 Port GPON OLT. OLTs operate between 0°C and 45°C with non-condensing operating humidity of 10% to 85%. These conditions ensure that the OLT operates within the defined temperature and humidity limits for optimal performance and reliability. Non-condensing humidity is 5% to 95%, and storage temperatures range from 40°C to 80°C. These storage conditions are crucial to protect the OLT when it is not in use and ensure its longevity.

Excessive heat or moisture can cause equipment malfunction or performance degradation. Power interruptions cause downtime or instability. A stable power supply with appropriate voltage levels and backup power options is essential for maintaining consistent performance. Physical security measures to protect the OLT from unauthorized access, tampering, or damage. Adequate security measures such as security equipment rooms, access controls, and surveillance systems help prevent physical disruptions that impact the OLT's performance. EMI and RFI, both external factors, affect OLT performance. Maintaining a clean and stable network environment requires proper shielding and grounding to maintain a clean and stable network environment.

Capacity planning for GPON OLT

This OLT model is with advanced features and functionalities to ensure optimal performance and service quality. It supports the largest coupling ratio of 1-128. It connects up to 128 Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) or Optical Network Units (ONUs) in a single GPON port. The GPON OLT has a high backplane bandwidth of 205G. This indicates its capacity to handle large data traffic between the GPON ports and other components of the OLT, ensuring efficient data transmission and reducing potential bottlenecks. It has a MAC (Media Access Control) table capacity of 64K. A MAC table stores MAC addresses and corresponding port information, enabling efficient forwarding of data packets within the OLT. With a large MAC table capacity, the OLT handles many connected devices and their communication.

If you are capacity planning for the load testing of the 8 Port GPON OLT. If you currently have around 750 connections in the 8 Port GPON OLT and you expect the need to accommodate more connections in the future. The 8 Port GPON OLT can manage up to 1024 connections, allowing you to accommodate more connections without replacing the entire OLT. So, you have to manage capacity well. If you don't track your capacity, you experience problems like low latency, packet loss, speed issues, slow response times, and buffering. If you experience these problems, you must upgrade your existing OLT. You can consider upgrading the existing OLT by adding more GPON ports or expanding the capacity of the current ports. Rather than upgrading OLT, you should analyze the traffic patterns and network usage trends. Determine the peak hours and periods of high data demand.

Analyze capacity

Analyzing capacity will help you understand the use of the OLT and identify potential bottlenecks. Install bandwidth management techniques to optimize capacity sharing among the connected ONTs. Distribute the traffic across the available ports on the OLT. It prevents any single port from becoming overloaded while ensuring the effective use of all available resources. If you find that the current 8-port OLT is reaching its capacity limits or has issues with its performance, you can consider upgrading to a higher port-count OLT. For this reason, you choose a larger OLT with more ports, such as a 16 Port GPON OLT. Increased ports accommodate more connections and distribute traffic across larger capacities, reducing congestion. It allows you to increase the number of ONTs/ONUs attached to the OLT without requiring a complete infrastructure change.

It provides you with a higher capacity and allows for more connections on the network. Identify the number of connections you expect and the scalability requirements of your network. If you expect a continuous increase in connections, investing in a larger OLT is a more suitable long-term solution. Compare the cost of upgrading the existing OLT with the cost of deploying a new 16 Port OLT. Factors to consider include equipment costs, installation expenses, and any infrastructure modifications. Assess the feasibility and impact of each option on your network operations. Upgrading the existing OLT requires less downtime and involves fewer configuration changes than deploying a new OLT. It supports the protocols and standards required for seamless integration with your ONTs, optical modules, and management systems.

GPON OLT performance validation

Load testing allows you to confirm the performance of a network or system by testing it under realistic or extreme load scenarios.

 

Throughput

There are four types of throughput measurements- bps, Mbps, Gbps, and Tbps. Information through a network or system at a certain rate. It is a key performance metric used to check the efficiency and capacity of a network infrastructure or device, including the Syrotech 8 Port GPON OLT. It is often measured during load testing or real-world usage to assess the system's ability to handle and sustain data transfer at a given rate.

• Ingress throughput- 1 MB per second or 1000 events per second (whichever occurs first). It refers to the rate at which data or events enter the system or network.
• Egress throughput- Two megabytes per second or 4096 events per second are possible. It represents the rate at which data or events exit the system or network.

Latency

Latency measures the time it takes for a data packet to travel from the source (ONU/ONT) to the destination (OLT) and back. It indicates the responsiveness and delay within the network. During load testing, measure latency under different load conditions to test the OLT's ability to maintain low latency, especially for real-time applications such as voice or video communication. The measurement of latency is usually in milliseconds (ms). Tests of speed consider latency below 100 milliseconds (ms) as good, and below 50 (ms) as very good.

Packet loss

Packet loss is the number of data packets lost or not reached. Congestion, insufficient bandwidth, or other factors can cause it. During load testing, packet loss calculates to assess the OLT's ability to handle traffic without significant data loss. Low packet loss is desirable to ensure data integrity and a reliable user experience. Packet loss affects the quality of service. The data type determines the acceptable level of packet loss. In voice-over IP (VoIP) traffic, the occasional loss of 1-2 packets won't impact conversation quality. But, 5-10% packet loss affects quality. Streaming audio/video requires less than 1% loss for "good" quality, 1-2.5% is "acceptable".

GPON OLT concurrent connections

It measures the number of simultaneous connections that the OLT can handle without significant degradation in performance. This determines the OLT's capability to support many users or ONUs and ONTs. It supports a total of up to 1024 ONTs across all eight ports. The most number of subscribers achieved is 80%. The OLT transmits data to ONTs at a range of approximately 20 kilometers (or 12.5 miles). It refers to the largest distance between the OLT and the ONTs for reliable data transmission. The OLT transmits data to ONTs at a wavelength of 1490nm (Tx) and receives data from ONTs at wavelengths of 1310nm (Rx). These wavelengths are specific to the GPON technology and provide efficient communication between the OLT and ONT.

Quality of service evaluation for GPON OLT

Load testing is crucial for assessing the quality of service delivered by a network. By simulating different types of network traffic and measuring QoS parameters such as latency, packet loss, and jitter, check if the network meets the required QoS standards. Load testing helps ensure that critical applications, such as real-time voice or video services, deliver acceptable performance levels.

• Backpressure flow control is half-duplex communication to regulate data flow between the OLT and the connected ONUs. It prevents data overflow and maintains optimal performance.
• IEEE 802.3x flow control is full-duplex communication to manage data flow between the OLT and ONUs. Transmission of data avoids congestion.
• IEEE 802.1p is a standard for prioritizing traffic by assigning different service classes. The Syrotech 8 Port GPON OLT supports IEEE 802.1p-based CoS, allowing for the classification and prioritization of traffic based on specific requirements.
• Weighted Round-Robin (WRR), Strict Priority (SP), and First-In-First-Out (FIFO) queuing mechanisms use the OLT to rank and schedule data packets in the queue. WRR assigns weights to different queues, SP ensures strict priority for high-priority traffic, and FIFO follows a simple first-in, first-out order.
• The OLT can limit the uplink and downlink data rates for each ONU based on specific service level agreements (SLAs). Broadband allocation among ONUs is fair and prevents excessive bandwidth consumption by any single user.
• DBA is a mechanism for the OLT to divide bandwidth to ONUs based on their needs and the network's available capacity. SLAs define the specific agreements and guarantees for service quality, including bandwidth allocation, latency, and other performance parameters. It is imperative for service providers who need to meet contractual obligations and maintain customer satisfaction.

Setting up a load test environment for 8 port GPON OLT

The 8 Port GPON OLT connects to the network infrastructure and the ONTs/ONUs. Configure the OLT and ONT/ONUs with the appropriate settings for data and voice services. Setting up a load test environment for an 8 Port GPON OLT involves several steps to ensure accurate and effective testing.

Hardware requirements

GPON 8 Port OLT device- This refers to the physical OLT equipment with eight GPON ports. Ensure that you have the appropriate model and configuration to meet your network's needs.

Power Supply- The OLT requires a stable power source to operate. Make sure you have the necessary power supply units (PSUs) and backup power options if required.

Fiber Optic Cabling- GPON relies on fiber optic cables for high-speed data transmission. You'll need the appropriate fiber optic cables, connectors, and patch panels to connect the OLT to the GPON network.

Optical Splitters- Optical splitters are to distribute the GPON signal to many ONUs (Optical Network Units) or end-user devices. Depending on your network design, you need optical splitters of suitable ratios.

Cooling and Rack Space- OLT devices generate heat, so proper cooling mechanisms like fans or air conditioning should be in place. Additionally, divide enough rack space to accommodate the OLT equipment.

Software requirements

• GPON OLT Management Software- The OLT comes with its management software for configuration, monitoring, and maintenance. Ensure that you have the appropriate software package compatible with your OLT model.
• Operating System- The OLT management software might need a specific operating system (OS) for installation and operation. Verify the OS compatibility and have it installed on the designated server or computer.
• Network Management System (NMS)- An NMS allows centralized management of the GPON network, including monitoring network performance, troubleshooting, and provisioning services. Make sure you have an NMS compatible with your OLT and network requirements.

Network topology

Create a network topology that replicates are possible your production environment. It connects 8 Port GPON OLT to the network infrastructure. Proper connectivity and configuration of all network components need. The GPON OLT test setup in a tree topology for an FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) access network involves the following areas:

 

 

 

• Core Network Area- This area represents the central backbone of the network infrastructure. It includes high-capacity routers, switches, and other networking equipment. Bandwidth capacity of 10 Gbps.
• Central Office Area- This area serves as the central hub for the GPON OLT equipment and management. It includes the OLT chassis, control modules, and other necessary components. Example data value- GPON OLT with 8 PON ports and 4 10GE SFP+ ports.
• Feeder Area- This area connects the central office to the distribution area and handles carrying aggregated traffic. Fiber optic cables capable of handling 10 Gbps bandwidth.
• Distribution Area- This area serves as the intermediate connection point between the feeder area and the user area. It includes splitters, patch panels, and other distribution equipment. Optical splitter with a splitting ratio of 1:128.
• User Area/Customer Premises-  Connected endpoints represent the end user's or customer's premises. It includes ONUs/ONTs, routers, and other customer equipment. GPON ONUs are capable of providing high-speed internet access up to 1 Gbps.

Load generator

The Load Generator generates loads on the server to test performance and scalability. Random messages to the Inline Service, allowing models to learn. After running the Load Generator for long enough, you can judge the capability of your models.

• Several concurrent users- Specify the number of virtual users or concurrent connections that the Load Generator will simulate. For example, 100, 500, or 1000 concurrent users.
• Ramp-up period- Define the duration over which the virtual users add to the test. For instance, you choose a ramp-up period of 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes.
• Request rate- Specify the rate at which the Load Generator will generate requests.  There are three types of requests: seconds, minutes, or hours (RPS, RPM, RPH).  For example, 100 RPS or 6000 RPM.
• Message size- Determine the size of the messages sent by the Load Generator. This could be bytes or kilobytes. For instance, 100 bytes or 1 KB.
• Distribution of requests- Define the distribution or mix of different types of requests. For example, you have 60% of requests as data retrieval, 30% as voice calls, and 10% as video streaming.

It uses specialized load-testing tools such as Apache JMeter, LoadRunner, Gatling, Locust, Tsung, and Neoload. It simulates traffic patterns and user behavior. Configure the load testing tool to generate realistic network traffic, including various data, voice calls, and video types.

Monitoring and metrics

When it comes to monitoring a GPON network and measuring performance metrics, use various monitoring tools and track specific data values.

• Optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR)- An OTDR is a device used to test and analyze the quality of fiber optic cables in the GPON network. It measures parameters like signal loss, and attenuation, and identifies any fiber faults or breaks.
• Bit error rate (BER)- BER is a metric that quantifies the number of erroneous bits in the transmitted data. It helps check the quality of the GPON link by measuring the accuracy of data transmission.
• Round-trip delay time (RTD)- RTD measures the time it takes for a signal to travel from the OLT to an ONU and back. It helps assess the latency or delay in the GPON network, which is crucial for real-time applications like VoIP or video streaming.
• OLT CPU and memory use- Monitoring the CPU and memory use of the OLT device provides insights into its resource usage. High use levels or show the need for capacity upgrades or optimization.
• ONU uptime and status- Tracking the uptime and status of ONUs helps ensure their proper functioning and availability. Monitoring this metric helps detect any ONU failures or connectivity issues.
• Alarm and event logging- Monitoring and logging network alarms and events provide a historical record of network incidents and assist in troubleshooting and identifying recurring issues.

Optical Monitoring for GPON OLT

Optical monitoring focuses on monitoring various optical parameters of the OLT. The input from the server in optical monitoring is +5 dBm. This value represents the power level of the optical signal transmitted by the server. For the Optical Line Terminal (OLT), the acceptable power range is +7 dBm to -27 dBm. This range indicates the acceptable power levels for the received optical signals at the OLT. Signals below -27 dBm are too weak and could result in poor performance or signal loss. Signals above +7 dBm are too strong and could cause distortion or other issues in the optical system.

Conclusion

Analyze metrics for the GPON OLT to identify areas for improvement. Perform regular load tests and performance evaluations to optimize the OLT's configuration and ensure it meets the evolving requirements of the network. Stay up-to-date with firmware and software releases from the performance enhancements, bug fixes, and new features. Apply firmware and software updates to improve the OLT's performance and address any identified issues. Keep track of advancements in GPON technology and industry standards.

Upgrade the OLT hardware or software to newer versions or explore next-generation GPON technologies if they offer significant performance improvements or new capabilities. Take part in discussions and collaborations with service providers to understand emerging trends, best practices, and potential improvements. To optimize the performance of the OLT for your network, discuss performance requirements, share feedback, and work together. If you had a plan to buy this product. Grabnpay is the best platform for buying telecommunications and network-related products.